World Mental Health Day 10th October 2021

World Mental Health Day is taking place on Sunday 10th October, and the theme this year is ‘mental health in an unequal world’.
 
Many peoples’ mental health has been affected during the Covid-19 pandemic, with some groups of people being affected more than others:
  • Black people are 4 times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act than white people (NHS Digital, 2020)
  • 58% of people receiving benefits said their mental health was poor (Mind, 2021)
  • In 2020 1 in 6 young people had a mental health problem, compared to 1 in 10 in 2017 (NHS Digital, 2020)
To find out more and hear other people’s experiences visit these websites:
To try and promote positive change, the mental health charity Mind are encouraging everyone to Do One Thing:
  • Add your voice – start a conversation in person or online that addresses mental health inequality
  • Learn more about mental health inequality
  • Access information and support
  • Donate if you can
 

Staff Wellbeing Confidential Support

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the support that is available to ALL University of Huddersfield staff members:
 
 
  • VivUp is our staff counselling and mental health support service.  You can access 24/7 confidential telephone counselling from qualified and caring professionals, by calling the helpline directly on 0330 380 0658 at any time.  The service is completely confidential, and nobody at the University will know that you have accessed this support. Through VivUp, you can also access online resources including a range of self-help workbooks on topics such as anxiety, depression and low mood, bereavement, post-traumatic stress,  and self-harm, and a free mental fitness app MyMindPal.
  • We have a dedicated network of skilled Mental Health First Aiders who can still be contacted, most easily by email. They will be able to signpost you to further support.  Find out who the Mental Health First Aiders in your area here. 
  • The Education Support Partnership provides mental health and wellbeing support services to all education staff and organisations.  They can provide telephone support and counselling.
  • The Occupational Health department has a dedicated webpage for COVID-19 which now includes advice for a safe and positive return to campus.

Tom’s Talk – Motivational and Mental Health Talk

We have organised a talk for November that will allow members of staff to learn more about mental health by hearing about someone’s personal experience.
 
Trigger warning – this post and the session it refers to talk about suicidal feelings.
 
Sadly, Tom lost his best friend & brother in October 2015 to suicide. Two years on he had his own battle with depression & suicidal thoughts but came through the other side. Now he is delivering talks explaining how he got through it, social media effects on mental health, ways of improving your mental health & how he got to where he is today.
 
This session is open to all staff members.